Working with Pop Stars

Working with Wright Entertainment Group, Melinda Bell has managed such pop music celebrities as *NSYNC, Backstreet Boys. WEG head, Johnny Wright, even worked with New Kids on the Block!

Maybe your odds of becoming the next Britney Spears aren't the best, but that doesn't mean you will never be a mover-and-shaker in the music biz. There are lots of jobs behind the scenes that can be fun and exciting. Just ask Melinda Bell. During her career as Vice President of Special Projects with the music management company Wright Entertainment Group, she's worked with Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC, to name just a few.

Melinda's love of the music biz started when she was young. She used to be a performer herself and spent her teen years in Florida singing and dancing. When it was time to go to college, Melinda chose the University of Central Florida's School of Communication and majored in Radio and Television, with a minor in Marketing. Eventually, she snagged a job with Walt Disney World in their Events Department. "I was lucky because there are theme parks where I live," says Melinda. "In New York or LA it's harder to get started. Disney World was a real asset."

While working at the 'happiest place on earth', she organized a performance by New Kids on the Block. New Kids manager was Johnny Wright. Johnny and Melinda became good friends and when Johnny decided to set up Wright Entertainment Group (WEG) in Florida, he called her. Melinda was there when Backstreet Boys auditioned for Johnny. "They auditioned for us in a pizza parlor. Nick was shorter than me back then - and I am only 5'1," Melinda laughs. Lately, Melinda's job is focused on one of WEG's top artists - *NSYNC.

If you're a die-hard *NSYNC fan you already know and love Melinda. She's the lucky lady who keeps you up on the guys lives through her column, *N Touch at *NSYNC's official site. She also does everything from organizing Challenge For The Children events, to organizing the Sound Check parties and helping the guys out while they tour. Yep, she gets to go on tour with them. "It's a lot of hard work, but it's gratifying," says Melinda. "My favorite part is when all my hard work pays off and I can get a kid with cancer to one of the shows."

Her hard work means long hours. Though the WEG office is open 10 am to 7 pm, Melinda says her phone does not stop ringing all day and it means staying late to get paper work done. Her hours are generally 9 am to 10 pm. UGH! But Melinda says all the long hours, grueling travel schedule and hard work pays off when the guys win an award. "When the guys win an award it's one of the signs that all the work has paid off." Oh yeah, and if you've ever heard the guys thank "chicken", that would be Melinda. It's a nickname Johnny came up with. "It's because when I get excited my voice gets higher and Johnny says I squak like a chicken," explains Melinda.

So if you still love the idea of working with awesome pop acts and you don't mind long hours and hard work, here's Melinda's advice: "Educate yourself in every aspect of the field and learn as much as possible. Major in Communication. Internships are huge. Don't ever bypass an experience and believe in yourself."

This article is great! But I'm really submiting this message because I want to become a singer. I've written a few lyrics down for three songs of my own but I don't know if the tempo will be fast or slow. Kidz Submit by:Nickname: Lottalove4NsyncAge: 15

Do you know someone with a kickin' job or wanna get the 411 on a particular kickin' job? and we'll do a profile.

Dear Dish-It In The Forums

"SmartSunnyShadow" wrote:Okay, thanks but will anyone else help me???
If they're as good friends as you're making them out to be then I'm sure they'll forgive and forget. Try not to over think the situation.

In the part where you said they started bullying you... what were some of the things they specifically said?
If they were just calling you insensitive or racist, tell them it was an accident. You can apologize about the racist comment. If you show you really are sad about it, they'll know you mean it.
I hope everything goes well and gets better ^-^